U.S. patent application number 11/584862 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-07 for ear tip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Klipsch, LLC. Invention is credited to Mark A. Blanchard.
Application Number | 20080187159 11/584862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39325083 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080187159 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blanchard; Mark A. |
August 7, 2008 |
Ear tip
Abstract
An improved ear tip for earphones and hearing protection is
provided where comfort and occlusion of the ear are of most
importance. The ear tip comprises an elastomer polymer resin
material molded to form the material to the shape of the ear canal.
A chamber is defined having a proximal and distal end, the distal
end engages the acoustic exit of the transducer, sound source or
sound attenuator and the proximal end of the bore is adapted to be
disposed adjacent an eardrum. The inner body attaches to a nozzle,
or audio playback orifice to naturally transition the acoustics
from the transducer or sound attenuator to the eardrum via the ear
canal. The ear tip can have a plurality of flexible annular flanges
disposed at spaced intervals of the body with decreasing
circumference as the flanges transition to the proximal end. Each
flange tapers in a radius or curvilinear geometry as it progresses
to the end of the object.
Inventors: |
Blanchard; Mark A.;
(Lebanon, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KRIEG DEVAULT LLP
ONE INDIANA SQUARE, SUITE 2800
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-2079
US
|
Assignee: |
Klipsch, LLC
|
Family ID: |
39325083 |
Appl. No.: |
11/584862 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 11/08 20130101;
A61B 7/02 20130101; H04R 1/1016 20130101; H04R 25/656 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/328 |
International
Class: |
H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00 |
Claims
1. An ear tip comprising an annular flange having a first end, a
second end, at least a portion of the flange having a non-circular
cross section, the non-circular cross-section has a major axis and
a minor axis, the major axis having a greater length than the minor
axis, the flange at least partially occluding the ear canal from
ambient noise and creating at least a partial air seal in the ear
canal, the flange tapering to the first end from the second end, an
inner body extending internally from the first end within the
flange toward the second end, and an acoustic channel extending
through the inner body.
2. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the greater length
of the major axis to the minor axis is from about 1.1:1 to about
3:1.
3. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the cross-section has at least
one substantially uniform arc as it extends from the minor axis to
the major axis.
4. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the flange has a conical profile
having two diameters dependent on a single axis.
5. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the cross-section has at least
one variable arc as it extends from the minor axis to the major
axis.
6. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the cross-section has at least
one generally increasing radius as it extends from the minor axis
to the major axis.
7. The ear tip of claim 1 where the cross-section is generally
elliptical.
8. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the cross-section is generally
triangular shaped.
9. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the flange has a generally
teardrop shaped cross-section.
10. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the flange comprises a
substantially rigid material.
11. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the flange comprises a flexible
material.
12. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the flange comprises a
deformable material.
13. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the flange comprises an elastic
material.
14. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the flange comprises a resilient
material.
15. The ear tip of claim 1 wherein the acoustic channel is sized to
accept an insert to attenuate ambient noise from entering the
acoustic channel.
16. An ear tip comprising a plurality of flanges disposed at
predetermined intervals along a common longitudinal axis, at least
one of the flanges having generally decreasing sizes as the flanges
transition to an insertable end of the ear tip, at least one of the
flanges having a first end, a second end, and at least a partially
non-circular cross section, the flanges at least partially
occluding the ear canal from ambient noise and creating at least a
partial air seal in the ear canal, the flanges tapering to the
first end from the second end, an inner body at least partially
extending internally within the flanges from the first end toward
the second end, and an acoustic channel extending through the inner
body.
17. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the
non-circular cross-sections has a major axis and a minor axis, the
major axis having a greater length than the minor axis.
18. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the
cross-sections has at least one substantially uniform arc as it
extends from the minor axis to the major axis.
19. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the
cross-sections has at least one variable arc as it extends from the
minor axis to the major axis.
20. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the
cross-sections has at least one generally increasing radius as it
extends from the minor axis to the major axis.
21. The ear tip of claim 16 where at least one of the
cross-sections is generally elliptical.
22. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the
cross-sections is generally triangular shaped.
23. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least of the flanges has a
generally teardrop shaped cross-section.
24. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one the flanges has a
conical profile having two diameters dependent on a single
axis.
25. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the flanges
comprises a substantially rigid material.
26. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the flanges
comprises a flexible material.
27. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the flanges
comprises a deformable material.
28. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one the flanges
comprises an elastic material.
29. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein at least one of the flanges
comprises a resilient material.
30. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein the acoustic channel is sized
to accept an insert to attenuate ambient noise from entering the
acoustic channel.
31. The ear tip of claim 16 wherein the longitudinal axis of at
least one flange is positioned about 15 degrees to about 30 degrees
relative to the longitudinal axis of another flange.
32. An ear tip comprising an annular flange having a first end, an
open second end, at least a portion of which has a non-circular
cross section, the flange at least partially occluding the ear
canal from ambient noise and creating at least a partial pressure
field in the ear canal, the flange tapering to the first end from
the second end, and an inner body extending internally within the
flange from the first end toward the second end.
Description
[0001] The inventions disclosed and claimed herein are ear tips
that come in contact with the ear canal wall, adapted for use with
earphones, stethoscopes, perytympanic hearing instruments (hearing
aids), headsets, and ear plugs for hearing protection, and more
particularly "in ear" applications. The devices to which the ear
tips can be operatively attached are generally known in the art,
including earphones that can be positioned on the head or over the
ear, in the ear and wires capable of operatively connecting the ear
tip to an audio source such as an analog or digital audio player.
Alternative uses include operative attachment to stethoscopes,
hearing aids, headsets, and as ear plugs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an ear
tip.
[0003] FIG. 2. shows a longitudinal cross-section of the ear tip
shown in FIG. 1 taken along the major axis.
[0004] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the ear tip
shown in FIG. 1 taken along the minor axis.
[0005] FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-section of an embodiment having
an elliptical cross-section.
[0006] FIG. 5 shows a lateral cross-section of an embodiment having
a generally triangular cross-section.
[0007] FIG. 6 shows a lateral cross-section of an embodiment having
a clamshell shaped cross-section.
[0008] FIG. 7 shows a lateral cross-section of the ear tip having a
teardrop cross-section.
[0009] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention having two flanges.
[0010] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5 taken along the major axis.
[0011] FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5 taken along the minor axis.
[0012] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which a first flange is
positioned relative to a second flange at a 15.degree. angle.
[0013] FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal cross-section of an embodiment
having an insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference is now made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language is
used to describe the same. No limitation of the scope of the
invention is intended. Alterations and modifications to the
illustrated devices, and other applications of the principles of
the invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ear tip 10 has an annular
flange 20 having a first end 30, a second end 40, at least a
partially non-circular cross section 50 (shown for example in FIG.
4). An inner body 60 extends from the first end 30 toward the
second end 40 within a chamber 70. An acoustic channel 80 extends
through the inner body 60 to connect operatively the sound source
or sound attenuator 90 to the ear drum (not shown).
[0016] An inner body 60 is formed as part of the flange 20. The
inner body 60 is positioned so that its longitudinal axis is
generally concentric with the longitudinal axis of the flange 20
(i.e. along axis 100 as shown on FIGS. 2 and 3). The acoustic
channel 80 extends through the inner body 60 and the first end 30.
A transducer (not shown) may be positioned within or without the
chamber 70. The inner body 60 may be formed integrally with the
flange 20 or as a separate piece which is then attached to the
flange 20.
[0017] The inner diameter 110 of the acoustic channel 80 is sized
to secure an acoustic connection from a sound source or sound
attenuator 90. The acoustic channel 80 in one version has a
diameter of about 1.26 millimeters. In another version, the
acoustic channel 80 has a diameter of about 1.40 millimeters.
Variations to the diameter of the acoustic channel 80 can be made
without varying from the scope of the invention disclosed and
claimed herein.
[0018] The exterior surface 25 of the flange 20 tapers to the first
end 30 from the second end 40. The arc of the taper can be constant
or variable. In one version the radius is 5 millimeters. In another
version, the radius is 9 millimeters. In other embodiments, the
flange 20 has a generally conical three-dimensional shape. Again,
variations in the arc or radius of the taper can be made without
varying from the scope of the invention disclosed and claimed
herein.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ear tip 10 has a major axis
120 along B-B' and minor axis 130 along C-C'. The major axis 120 is
longer than the minor axis 130. The minor axis 130 has a length
from about 6 millimeters to about 10 millimeters. The major axis
120 has a length from about 9 millimeters to about 15 millimeters.
The ratio of the length of the major axis 120 relative to the minor
axis 130 can range from about 1.1:1 to about 3:1. The lengths of
the axes can be varied without departing from the scope of the
inventions disclosed and claimed herein.
[0020] FIGS. 4-6 show several embodiments having different shaped
lateral cross-sections. FIG. 4 shows a flange 20 having a generally
elliptical cross-section 50. The major axis 120 and minor axis 130
are shown. Radius "R" will decrease as it arcs from the major axis
120 to the minor axis 130 according to known mathematical equations
for ellipses [(x.sup.2/a.sup.2)+(y.sup.2/b.sup.2)=1]. One can
infinitely vary the radius "R" or the generally elliptical shape of
the inventions without departing from the scope thereof as
disclosed and claimed.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment with a flange 20 having a
generally triangular shaped lateral cross-section. This generally
triangular shaped lateral cross-section can also be referred to as
a tri-oval shape. The inner body 60 defines an acoustic channel 80.
Taken from the axis of the acoustic channel 80, radius R varies in
length as it arcs from the minor axis 130 to the major axis 120.
Sections of the cross-section can have generally non-radial lineal
geometries in varying length (FIG. 5).
[0022] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment with a flange 20 having a
generally clamshell shaped lateral cross-section. This clamshell
shape can be described as taking a longitudinal cross-section along
the major axis 120 thereby separating the flange 20 into two halves
having radii "R" based on center points 190, 200 outside the
acoustic channel 80. Alternatively the center points 190, 200 can
be inside the chamber 70 or acoustic channel 80. FIG. 5 shows
another embodiment with a flange 20 having a generally triangular
shaped lateral cross-section. This generally triangular shaped
lateral cross-section can also be referred to as a tri-oval shape.
The inner body 60 defines an acoustic channel 80. Taken from the
axis of the acoustic channel 80, radius R varies in length as it
arcs from the minor axis 130 to the major axis 120. Sections of the
cross-section can have generally non-radial lineal geometries in
varying length (FIG. 5).
[0023] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment with a flange 20 having a
generally clamshell shaped lateral cross-section. This clamshell
shape can be described as taking a longitudinal cross-section along
the major axis 120 thereby separating the flange 20 into two halves
having radii "R" based on center points 190, 200 outside the
acoustic channel 80. Alternatively the center points 190, 200 can
be inside the chamber 70 or acoustic channel 80.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 7, the flange 20 has a lateral
cross-section having a generally teardrop shape. Alternatively, the
lateral cross-section of the flange 20 can be generally oval,
elliptical, or triangular (FIGS. 4 and 5). The flange 20 can have a
cross-section having a substantially uniform arc as it extends from
the minor axis 130 to the major axis 120. In another version, the
flange 20 has a cross-section has a variable arc as it extends from
the minor axis 130 to the major axis 120. In another variation, the
flange 20 has a cross-section having a generally increasing radius
as it extends from the minor axis 130 to the major axis 120.
[0025] Single flange ear tips 10 attenuate ambient noise by about 5
to about 15 dB. For additional noise isolation, multiple flanges
140,150 can be used to yield attenuation up to about 32 dB. FIGS.
8-10 show a perspective view of an embodiment having a first flange
140 and a second flange 150 positioned along a common longitudinal
axis (not shown). More than two flanges 140,150 may be used without
departing from the scope of the inventions disclosed and
claimed.
[0026] The flanges 140, 150 have generally decreasing diameters as
the flanges 140, 150 transition to an insertable end 160. The
insertable end 160 is that portion of the ear tip 10 that is
inserted the furthest into the ear canal. The flanges 140, 150 can
be of single piece construction or multiple piece construction. For
the embodiments having multiple flanges 140,150, the inner body 60
can have an acoustic channel 80 extending through it. The inner
body 60 traverses at least part of the length of both flanges 140,
150 as shown in FIG. 8-10. Each of the flanges 140, 150 has a first
end 30 and a second end 40. At least one of the flanges 140, 150
has a partially non-circular cross section as described above with
respect to the embodiment having a single flange 20. Each of the
flanges 140, 150 defines a chamber 70.
[0027] In one embodiment having two flanges (FIG. 11), the second
flange 150 has a longitudinal axis 170 angled about 15 to about 30
degrees from the longitudinal axis 100 of flange 140. The
deflection of the second flange 150 with respect to the first
flange 140 can comprise a compound angle that is an angle of
15.degree. in the x-axis and 15.degree. in the y-axis or any
combination thereof. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in another
embodiment, the longitudinal axis 100 of both flanges 140, 150 are
common. In embodiments having multiple flanges 140,150 (FIGS.
8-10), the flanges 140, 150 may have the same or different shaped
lateral cross-sections, including oval, elliptical, triangular or
teardrop shaped.
[0028] Rigid, deformable, flexible, elastic or resilient materials
provide flexibility in sizing the ear bud, comfort, audio quality
and durability. In one embodiment, the flange is a polymer. In
another embodiment, the flange is an elastomeric polymer. In
another embodiment the flange 20 is comprised of ABS plastic or
polycarbonate plastic.
[0029] In single and multiple flange embodiments, the inner body 60
will have sufficient thickness and stiffness to resist deformation
when it is connected to a sound source and when the ear tip 10 is
inserted into an ear.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 12, a removable or fixed insert 180 may be
provided to plug the acoustic channel 80 thereby rendering the
invention an ear plug. The insert 180 may be formed integrally with
the inner body 60 to become either a homogeneous or non-homogeneous
solid body.
[0031] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail
in the drawings and foregoing description. The same is illustrative
and not restrictive in character. Only the preferred embodiments
have been shown and described. All changes and modifications that
come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be
protected.
[0032] While the use of words such as preferable, preferably,
preferred or more preferred utilized in the description indicate
that the feature so described may be more desirable, such
feature(s) may not be necessary. Embodiments lacking the same are
within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that
follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such
as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used
there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless
specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language
"at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can
include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated
to the contrary.
* * * * *